Discovery makes it official: "Sarah Palin's Alaska" to TLC

Silver Spring, Md.-based TLC may be losing America's Most Put Upon Mother Kate Gosselin to the broader palette of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," but it has gained Sarah Paiin!

The network on Thursday confirmed this TV season's worst kept secret: it has acquired global rights to the eight-episode "Sarah Palin's Alaska," which they want you to know is only a working title.

But, unlike previous reports that said the former governor of Alaska would host a travelogue about the 49th state, TLC has revealed the show is "about the remarkable Governor Palin" -- and her home state of Alaska.

"Discovery Communications is so excited to help Sarah Palin tell the story of Alaska," said Discovery Communications Chief Operating Officer Peter Ligouri who, before this gig was, most recently, the champion of Fox's animated series "Famiy Guy" in his capacity as head of Fox Entertainment.

"Family Guy," you'll recall, is the animated Seth MacFarlane series in which a teenage girl who has Down Syndrome told her date she is the daughter of a former governor of Alaska, causing Palin to go on the war path against "Fox Hollywood," saying the show had slammed of her little son Trig, who also has Down Syndrome, and that it was just the latest "kick in the gut" against her, adding on her Facebook page that it "begs the question, 'When is enough enough?'"

Small world, isn't it?

The new Palin show is being executive produced by Mark Burnett, who produces Hollywood star-struck MTV Movie Awards, and executive produces the Hollywood-celebrity-studded "Apprentice," as well as "Survivor."

Only time will tell whether doing this new series will put at further risk Palin's anti-Hollywood cred. The announcement comes nearly one month to the day after it was announced Palin's daughter Bristol was heading off to become one of those Hollywood types with whom Palin has so many issues. Bristol will make her acting debut this summer on ABC Family's teener drama "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" which is produced by Hollywood mega-conglomerate Disney and which gives the Hollywood treatment to the issue of teen pregnancy.

"Our family enjoys Discovery's networks," Palin said in Thursday's announcement, adding that she is looking forward to bringing "the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans."

In its announcement, Discovery did not say when Palin's show would debut -- just that it would on its TLC network, which is also home to such programs as the tattoo-parlor reality series "LA Ink," "Addicted," "19 Kids & Counting," "Hoarding: Buried Alive," "Cake Boss," "Little People, Big World," and "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant."

Can't report news about Gov. Palin without trying to sully her reputation??
Need to tie her to celebrities and try to paint her as a hypocrite?
You can't even understand her criticisms of the media, but try to portray her as "Anti-Hollywood and anti-celebrity", when she is just trying to get Non_Leftists a fair shake in the liberal dominated culture.
Nice try though, putting her in with reality stars and teen mothers, hoping people think she is just a wannabe celebrity..
Ignoring the truth behind her analysis of the media, and going for the cynical hate against Sarah Palin... Par for the course.
Are you a television critic, or a political hack?
Hate much?

I'm sorry, but after her last statement telling the anti-health legislation group to "re-load", I hope that this is the lowest rated, most money draining series on Discovery- so that they are taught a lesson never to buy into hype again.

What analysis? Do you mean her hypocritical complaining about David Letterman's jokes while defending Rush Limbaugh's satire? Or do you mean her complaining about unfairly being expected to answer questions during interviews? Or do you mean her using the media as a foil in her quest to portray herself as a victim?

If she had some actual analysis (you know, claims supported by evidence), it might be interesting to read considering that she herself is a product of the media and would not exist without it.

Well, I won't be watching. Really, is Discovery so starved for attention it has to bring on a woman who thrives on fear-mongering? How about her response to the health care vote. Clearly her philosophy if someone beats you in a fair fight, kill 'em. Or as Congressman King put it, beat them to a pulp. Way to go Discovery. When does her program begin - during "shark week?"

Wanna see Alaska? Watch the Versus show hosted by none other than Dick Butkus. It's gorgeous, non confrontational, and, they catch 70 lb halibut with bait bigger than the fish I usually catch. And, no, I don't work for the network.

And Sister Sarah? My bumper sticker has Munch's "The Scream" on it with the tag "Palin' for Palin."

Also, I like the misspelling of her name as Paiin" on Line 4: Kinda "paying/Pain" hybrid...

Just listening to this woman is sheer torture, and I KNOW I'm not the only person who feels that way. I guess some people like looking for the "severed head" at the accident scene on the side of the road, and others don't. Those who do will watch the show. Good luck with that Discovery.

The Sarah Palin Show??? How could you be so desperate?... No one else wanted her and for good reason. Yesterday was the final episode for Sarah, with her bull's eye on district's throughout our country.
And what a proud moment, Sarah says RE-LOAD.. And I will not watch Discovery until Sarah is cancelled...

With this TLC has officially been the home of two of the most disliked women in the country (I know, there are those who like SP, but there are many who really don't like her)... If they sign that tatoo model to a contract, they'll have a trifecta!

I thought she quit being gov to be out of the limelight.... well, I guess she had her taste of it and now she can't get enough of it. Now that she has accepted her public life, she isn't entitled to a private life anymore... she can (b) itch and moan about it all she wants, but in reality, she's asking for everything she gets...

I Betcha and By Gosh, Palin has reap the benefit of herself. This day mark it. I state she will develop a show about her son Tripp next. Trust she is only in it for the money remember people By Gosh I Betcha I told yous all

What a bunch of sophomoric comments.Don't you all know that hate will rot your guts out? If you would expend as much energy on something that matters as you do on a documentary that really doesn't, you could change the world.

for someone who quit her governing job to live a more private life, seems to me she can't live without being very public. so now she has her Fox gig, her Facebook page, her daughter on ABC and her Discovery gig... not to mention her tell all rogue book... yes, sounds to me like Mrs. Palin is full of $.H. I T

The number of comments here proves the point. She is a controversial figure who continues to make news. I don't like her but the folks at Discovery are no dummies. People will watch. Those who don't watch will comment. If your job is to win ratings - she's a sure bet.

Sarah Palin has been given a TV show on TLC. If you want to complain to the channel's ethics folks, in the U.S. and Canada call 800-398-6395. I think there is an ethical problem with someone exhorting followers to violence and at the same time being given a show on TLC. Sarah Palin should not be allowed to spread her venom and lies on television. It is a mistake to give such a person this kind of exposure.

Can't wait to see who the sponsors will be for this gun moll. Boycotts will begin. Palin will do anything to make headlines, and I can't believe Discovery/TLC would stoop so low and be so desperate. Role model? You betcha - as a warning for those who think anybody can be POTUS, no brains or morals required. There must be something hidden in this deal that the public has not learned of - yet. Shame on Discovery/TLC for signing a mega-bucks deal with this mega-ego-maniac who is trying to incite riots as her latest stunt. Reload. Not me...is a rifle company and ammo dealer going to be part of her sponsors?